Apparatus for cooling molds



Sept. 23, 1930.

APPARATUS FOR COOLING MOLDS F. G. CARRINGTON Filed May l0. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 23, 1 930. F. G. cARRlNGToN 1,776,1545

APPARATUS FOR COOLING MOLDS Filed May 1o, 1927 5 sheets-sheet 2 APPARATUS FOR COOLING MOLDS Filed -May l0, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented sept. z3, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK G'. CABRINGTON, OF ANN'ISTON, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOB TO IEBBIG ENGINEER- ING COMPANY, OI' ANNISTON, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE APPARATUS FOB COOLING HOLDS Application tiled lay 10,

This invention relates to a cooling system and more particularly to a cooling system for use in a rotary casting apparatus.

Heat exchange between a mold in a rotary casting operation and molten m tal results in an increase in the temperature f the mold and a cooling of the metal. The artificial cooling of the mold and the heat of the molten metal deposited within the mold therefore counteract each other, so far as the temperature of the mold is concerned. In the prior cooling systems, the cooling of the entire mold is, commenced at the sameV moment. But, as the metal is poured Vin the mold in av column which progresses along the length of the mold, that portion of the mold where the last particle of metal is poured has-been cooled for a longer time prior to the deposition of metal there than any other portion of the mold'prior to its receipt of metal. The

metal deposited at the termination of the pouring, therefore, is subjected to more rapid and intense cooling than any other portion of the mold.

As the texture of a casting varies with the rapidity of cooling to which it has been subjected, there is a consequent'variance of texture along the length of the casting. Usually,

the portion of the casting poured last is cooled so suddenly that it has become casechilled. A case-chilled object 'is of little commercial use, for it is unworkable. In order to render such an object available for use in ordinary operations, it is necessary to l subject it to an annealing process.

The problem of cooling the mold, therefore, is on the one hand, to adequately cool the mold so that it may be used over a series of castinof operations, and on the other hand to provide a cooling system which cools the poured metal so gradually that the additional and expensive step of annealing heretofore necessitated, will be quite largely, if not altogether, obviated.

Reference is made particularly to mycopending application Serial No. 172,355, filed March 3, 1927, wherein I have set forth one form of cooling apparatus which overcomes the diiiiculties above enumerated. The invention which is the subject matter of this 1827. Serial No. 180,332.

. cooling a mold.

Another object of this invention is to devise a method of cooling a mold gradually and progressively.

Yet another object of this invention is an apparatus for sectionally cooling a mold.

A further object of thls invention is a cooling system for progressively cooling a mold.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a compact, yet effective, cooling system for a rotary mold.

And yet another object is to devise a cool- 111g system wherein the cooling of the mold is synchronized with the pouring of the metal.

To accomplish the above and other important objects as will more fully hereinafter appear, my invention consists in a cooling member, means in the member for varying the operative length thereof, and other means for regulating the first mentioned means.

There is set forth in the accompanying drawings one form of apparatus which will accomplish the desired results. It is to be understood that these drawings do not constitute any limitation on my invention, for various modifications thereof mayl be made without in any way exceeding the scope and spirit of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a top View of a casting mold and cooling system therefor, partly in elevation and partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 1, along the line 2-2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a more detailed view of the plunger shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the mold and a partially sectional and partially elevational view of the cooling apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a more detailed view in perspective of the plunger and its actuating means;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic showing of means for synchronizing pouring of the metal and cooling of the mold;

Figi; is a view along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6, loo 'ng in the direction of the arrows.

Referrin more particularly to Fig'l 1,- a rotary castmg mold-1 is rotatably mounted upon trunnions 2. The trunnions revolve upon roller boxes 3 which are suitably fixed to the base of the cooling apparatus. A split bearing member 4 is provided as an additional support for the mold. The mold is rotated by means of the gearslupon its pe- 4 riphery which mesh with actuating gears 6 pour at the bell end', while the mold is ro-` tating. While it is pouring, the trough is gradually withdrawn from the end 5 toward the end 6 this movement, together with the rotation of the mold, serving to deposit the metal spirally. It may b e desired at certain places in the process to retain the trough stationary for a time, thus insuring a larger deposit of molten metal. This is particularly likely to be desired at the bell end of the 1 e. llcounted above the Vmold shown in the drawings and sup orted by a standard 8 and the bearing mem r 4 is a liuid dispersing member 9. This member is usually of pipe construction, although any other suitable chamber may be used. Apertures 10 in the'bottom of the chamber 9 allow the discharge of a fluid from the pipe. While I have shown the member 9 supported above the mold and provided with apertures in its bottom, the fluid dispersing member may be located opposite any point on the circumference of the mold and have its apertures suitably located to sprayupon the mold the cooling medium. Under certain circumstances, it ma beadvisable to employ a plurality of uid dispersing members.

Within the iiuid dispersing member 9 is a plunger 11, which has a fluid tight lit with the walls of the member 9, but at the same time is capable of sliding therein. Attached to the plunger are cables 12 and 13. A single cable may be employed, of course, passing through the plunger, provided the cable and plunger are stationary with respect to each other. The purpose of this cable is to slide the plunger 11 within the channel of the -member 9. In place of the cable, a chain or other pliable actuating means may be employed. The cable 12 passes around a sheave 14 rotatably supported on a shaft 15, lthence around one circumference 16 of a rotatable sheave 17. The cable also passes around a sheave 18 mounted upon a shaft similar to 15, and again through anther guide 19 on the sheave 17 From thence it goes to a point of termination 21 Where vitis ixedly held by suitable means, not shown. The cable 13 l n l. passes through a series of# sheaves s1m1lar to those for the cable 12e-first through 22, thence the periphery 23 ofA the sheave 24, thence around the sheave 25 and back to the smaller groove 26 of24 and inally `o its termination- 29 where it is likewise fixedl held bymeans, not shown. Y

The sheaves 17 and 24 are rotatably mounted upon a shaftv 31 having collars 32 into which fit fingers 33 of a rack.

\` The series of sheaves 14, 17 and 18, it will be noted, are within a box 34. This box is connected to the fluid dispersing member 9 by means of a channel 35. vUpon one end 3G of the box there is located a fluid tight gland 37. This permits the movement of the shaft 31 Within the box but prevents any leakage from the box. The box 34 is water tight, as is also the member 9 except for the apertures 11. A cooling medium is supplied into the N box 34 and flowsinto the member 9. Inas- `much as the plunger 11 is Water tight, however, no water can pass to the right, in the drawings, of the plunger. Movement of the plunger will vary the operative length of the member 9.

As the rod 31 is moved to the left, for instance, the cable 13I is Withdrawn from the member 9. At the Sametime the movement of the shaft 31 permits of the extension 'of thecable 12 in the pipe 9. This reciprocation therefore changes the position of the plunger 11 in the pipe, altering the length of the pipe which is dispersing a cooling medium. l

It is not necessary that the sheaves 14, 17 and 18 be positioned within the box 34 in contact with a fluid, but this arrangement is desirable for it is diilicult to secure an effective gland for a cable. The gland 37, however, permits reciprocation of the rod 31,

llO

ference. These two guideways are conl centric and integral. The yoke 42 on the rod 31 is shown for supporting the sheave 17.

The cable 12 is shown restingv in the two guideways.

In Fig. 3 there is shown the particular method of` attaching the cables 12 and 13 to the plunger 11, vcomprising staples 43 to In Fig. 4 there is shown in moredetail the arrangement of the cables and the sheaves.

There is also shown a rack 45, heretofore referred to, and upon which are attached the fingers 33 fitting within the collars 32 of the shaft 31. The underneath surface of this rack is provided with teeth which coact with the gear 41. The rack 45 is provided with anges 46, as shown in Fig. 5, which lit in grooves in the base of the box 34 and serve as guides for the rack. Any other suitable means may be employed which permit the axial movement of the rack but prevent any lateral o'r vertical movement. The guideway may be at some other place in the apparatus, if desired.

As the gear 41 is revolved, its teeth mesh with the teeth of the rack 45 and move the latter axially. The fingers 33 fitting into the collar of the shaft and attached to the rack, transfer this movement to the shaft. As above pointed out, movement of the shaft results in a change in position of the plunger.

'In Fig. 5 there is included in one view the complete actuating apparatus. The yokes 42 for holding the sheaves 17 and 24 are shown mounted on the shaft 31. The fingers 33 of the rack are of suflicient length to permit a slight sliding movement of the shaft in a vertical plane.

The actuating means for the shaft 39 may be a motor, a cylinder or any other mechanical device. Its action should be timed, however, in relationship to the movement of a pouring trough. The result to be obtained, so far as timing is concerned, is movement of the plunger at the same rate and in the same direction as movement of the pouring trough.

The relationship between the plunger and l thepouring trough, which is preferable, is one wherein the plunger is maintained directly above the spout of the pouring trough. In this way the cooling of the exterior of the mold will be concomitant and coincidental with the molten metal deposited within the mold.

.However, certain variations may be made in this connection wherein either the plunger 11 precedes or succeeds the spout of the trough in its movement along the length of the mold, depending upon Whether, with respect to the pouring, premature or subsequent cooling of the mold is desired. -The determination of this will depend upon the particular circumstances of a casting opera- 95 tion.

There is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6 an arrangement whereby the cooling of theY mold and pouring of the metal may be synchronized. A carriage 47, mounted u on wheels 48, supports the trough 7. lso mounted upon the carriage is a ladle 49 designed to supply the trough with molten metal. The carriage runs upon a track 51 and moves the trough 7 axially with respect tothe mold. An'arm 52 suitably mounted 75' on the carriage 47 is attached to a chain 53. This chain is carried by a sprocket 54 suitably geared to a motor 55. Another sprocket 56 is rotated by the chain and revolves an axle 57, as shown in Fig. 7 upon which is fixed another sprocket 58. This latter sprocket carries a chain 59 which is mounted upon a sprocket 61. This last sprocket rotates the shaft 39, which actuates, by means of the gear 41, the rack 45.

The gearing employed in this apparatus should be such that the plunger 11 will move in the pipe 9 at the saine rate of speed as the trough 7 moves in the mold. As above pointed out, the spaced relationship of the plunger and spout of the trough may be varied as voccasion demands. Theplunger 11 may move in the ipe 9 directly above the end of the'trough or its movement may precede or follow the spout, as desired.

It is, of course,'obvious that other means may be employed to accomplish this synchronization of the pouring and cooling. While I have shown and describ'ed a casting apparatus wherein the mold remains stationary and the pouring trough moves with respect thereto, it is to be understood that this invention may be employed in an apparatus in which the mold moves axially and the trough remains stationary.v Slight adjustments only would be required to care for this modification. While I have not shown in detail an apparatus for accomplishing the desired results under/such an arrangement, it is to be understood that the adaptation of my invention to an apparatus of this character will not exceed the scope of the a pended claims.

The proper adJustment ci) the operating means will preclude a sudden chilling of the metal poured into the mold, and thus prevent 11 the case-hardening of the casting. Certain variations may be made in this particular without `exceeding the progressive cooling herein set forth. By removing to a great extent, if 'not altogether, the necessity of annealing the casted object, this invention is of great importance to the casting industry.

Its compactness is likewise an advantage not to be overlooked.' The cooling systemv herein set forth does not exceed the length 125 llO 'ofthe mold. My co-pending application,

while providing for a similar cooling effect, has actuating means for the plunger which extend beyond the mold. In the present invention considerable space is saved by rea- 13b losD son of the fact that the actuating mechanism is positioned on the side of the mold and does not extend beyond the mold.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by Way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cooling system comprising a cooling member, means for varying the operative length of said member and means actuating said first mentioned means comprising a pulley arrangement.

2, A sectional cooling system comprising a plunger mounted in a cooling member, and iexible means for actuating the plunger.

.3. In/asectional cooling system for a rotatable mold comprising a member for dispersing a cooling medium, a plunger slidably mounted therein, a cable for moving said plunger, a series of fixed rotatable sheaves, and other sheaves movable for actuating said cable.

4. A sectional cooling system for a rotary casting mold comprising a plunger in a fluid dispersing member, a cable attached to the plunger, and means for actuating the cable at a predetermined rate. i

5. In a sectional cooling system for a rotary casting mold, a plunger in a fluid dispersing member, a cable attached to the plunger for sliding the same in the member, and means operatively connected with a metal depositing device for actuating the cable at a predetermined relationship to the deposition of molten metal within the mold.

6. A cooling system for a rotary casting mold comprising a fluid dispersing member,

means for varying the operative length of .a cooling member and a plunger slidably mounted therein, actuating means for the plunger comprising a. sheave supporting member including a yoke mounted on'a shaft,

plunger actuating sheaves carried thereby and means for moving the member.

9. In a cooling system for a rotatable mold, actuating means for a plunger in a fluid dispersing member comprising sheaves supported by an axially movable rod and means for moving the rod so that the plunger slides at a predetermined rate.

l0. In combination with a casting mold, a plunger slidable in a fluid dispersing member, a sheave supporting rod coacting With the plunger, and means operatively connected with a metal depositing device for axially moving the rod so that the plunger slides in the fluid dispersing member at a desired rate ,and predetermined relationship to the deposition of molten metal Within the mold.

11. A centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a rotary mold, a ladle for depositing metal therein, means for moving the ladle, a Huid dispersing member mounted in juxtaposition to said mold adapted to disperse a cooling medium thereon, a plunger slidably mounted in said dispersing member, flexible means connected With said plunger for sliding the same, sheaves for actuating the flexible means, and means associated with means for moving the ladle for imparting motion to the sheaves.

l2. In a cooling system, an apertured cooling medium dispersing conduit, a plunger slidably mountedJ therein, a casing lncommunication with one end of the conduit, fixed and movable sheaves positioned in said casing, flexible means connected With the plunger adapted to pass over the sheaves, and means extending into the casing for moving the mov able sheaves.

13. In a cooling system, an apertured cool ing medium dispersing conduit, a plunger slidably mounted therein, a casing in communication with one end of the conduit, fixed and movable sheaves positioned in said casing, flexible means connected With the plunger adapted to pass over the sheaves, fixed and movable sheaves positioned adjacent the other end of the conduit, a second iexible means passing thereover, means connecting the movable sheaves, and means for operating the connecting means for sliding the plunger in the dispersing conduit.

In testimon whereof I aliix my signature.

F ANK G. CARRINGTON.

mold cooling system having 

